President Donald Trump recently unveiled his bold initiative, the “Board of Peace,” designed to tackle global conflicts, including hot spots like Gaza. The plan, however, has already faced a wave of controversy—and one of the most high-profile rejections came from none other than Pope Leo.
The “Board of Peace” requires countries to pay $1 billion for permanent membership. While some nations, including Israel, Argentina, Russia, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia, agreed to participate, major players such as Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Ukraine declined. Critics have argued that the high cost, combined with the unilateral approach, makes the plan difficult for the global community to embrace.
When the invitation reached Pope Leo, the Vatican initially took a cautious approach. Officials said the Pope needed time to consider the proposal. But now, the Vatican has firmly declined participation. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat, emphasized that Pope Leo believes conflicts like Gaza’s should be handled through international organizations, specifically the United Nations, rather than a board led by a single country.
The Vatican’s response also reflects Pope Leo’s longstanding advocacy for peace, justice, and human dignity. Over the years, he has repeatedly spoken on the importance of protecting human rights, supporting refugees, and ensuring that political decisions do not compromise fundamental freedoms. While the Pope did not provide an official public statement about the rejection, it aligns with his consistent calls for multilateral cooperation and ethical leadership on global issues.
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